“The runway system is the heart of airport infrastructure and is rightly classified as a sovereign and security asset,” he noted. “Most PPPs do not include the runway itself, but concessionaires may be allowed to manage lighting, parking or maintenance, while ownership stays with the state.”

BY ANTHONY OMOH

Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, has stressed the urgent need for airport PPP framework clarity, noting that Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to misinterpret the public-private partnership model despite clear definitions.

Sanusi made these remarks during the 25th Airport Business Summit and Expo (ABSE 2025) held in Lagos, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the future of airport infrastructure and financing strategies.

“One major issue with PPPs in Nigeria is the lack of clarity on what they truly entail,” Sanusi said. “The Nigerian government has already defined what PPP is, yet we often misinterpret or misapply it.”

He explained that globally, effective PPPs involve the concession or privatization of terminal buildings and commercial landside assets—while sovereign assets such as runways remain under government control for security reasons.

“The runway system is the heart of airport infrastructure and is rightly classified as a sovereign and security asset,” he noted. “Most PPPs do not include the runway itself, but concessionaires may be allowed to manage lighting, parking or maintenance, while ownership stays with the state.”

Sanusi urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to focus on structured PPP models that preserve national control over critical assets but allow for private sector expertise and investment in operational areas. He recommended exploring restricted-access concessions as a middle ground.

Praise for FAAN’s Openness to PPP

The Aero Contractors CEO commended Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, for presenting a clear roadmap at the summit, stating that the agency’s newfound receptiveness to private collaboration is timely and commendable.

“For the first time, I think FAAN is very receptive to PPP—which is great. That is the way forward,” he said, reinforcing his call for airport PPP framework clarity.

Operators Not Criticizing, But Seeking Solutions

Sanusi was quick to clarify that his observations were not criticisms but an effort to contribute meaningful operator insights to the conversation.

“Please, when I make this presentation, I’m not criticizing any airport,” he said. “I’m trying to bring to fore the actual position we see as an airline. If we do not say what exactly the problem is, then we will not be able to solve the problem.”

He outlined several pressing challenges facing Nigerian airlines, starting with poor infrastructure. Many of the country’s airports, he said, were built over 25 years ago and are now inadequate for modern operations due to lack of maintenance and reinvestment.

“We don’t need to look at major investment alone,” he stated. “There are a few things we can do to elevate this infrastructural deficiency in the short run.”

Sanusi added that long-term planning must include airport redesigns, upgraded terminals, and improved access routes to accommodate growing passenger volumes and meet international standards.

Need for Better Inter-Agency Coordination

He also called out the disjointed operations among airport agencies, which often subject passengers to repetitive checks and delays.

“You go through five or six agencies, all asking the same questions,” Sanusi explained. “Everything can be done in one instance. Inadequate coordination among agencies causes hardship for both operators and passengers.”

Sanusi warned that such inefficiencies could harm Nigeria’s reputation among potential investors, especially when VIPs bypass protocols in full view of regular passengers.

“If those passengers are intended investors, they will feel that there is a breach of protocol,” he said. “It undermines the integrity of the airport system.”

Final Call for Action

In closing, Sanusi reaffirmed the willingness of airline operators to work collaboratively with FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to improve Nigeria’s aviation system. He stressed again that success hinges on sustained engagement and airport PPP framework clarity.

“Our goal aligns with FAAN’s—to deliver a seamless, safe, and efficient travel experience for passengers. But to achieve this, we must first face our infrastructural and procedural realities head-on,” he concluded.